The Head of the Russian Navy delivered a clear and unequivocal message at this week’s Arctic Forum, the bi-annual Russian conference on the Arctic that takes place in St.Petersburg. In front of an audience of Russian and foreign politicians, researchers and business people, the admiral left little doubt that Russia intends to expand in the Arctic and that his Navy will follow up on the ambitions.
In his speech, as published on the website of the Russian Armed Forces, he highlighted the importance of the Arctic for Russia and underlined that the region is crucial for national security.
Among the Russian main national interests in the region, he underlined the importance of “a full-scale expansion into the continental shelf beyond the borders of the 200 mile exclusive economic zone.”
He also highlighted that the Northern Sea Route must function as “a national transport communication way.” […]
Together with the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources, the Russian Armed Forces have over the past years actively studies underwater resources in the Arctic. According to Admiral Yevmenov, this includes areas such as the Lomonosov Ridge, the Alpha-Medeleev Height, the Chutkota Plateau and the Gakkel Ridge. The lion’s share of the mentioned underwater areas are located outside the Russian Exclusive Economic Zone and remain disputed territory.
Russia has long claimed a large swath of seabed along the Lomonosov Ridge, but the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf has not yet completed its assessment of the claims. Läs artikel